AREAHOLDSOFFFREEZE—FORNOW

Tuesday night's predicted freeze was a no-show, thanks to cloud cover that refused to leave the area, a local weather official said.

Mark Bogner, forecaster for the Kansas University Weather Service, the official reporting station for Lawrence, said this morning that clouds, which were expected to dissipate, lingered over the area, retaining daytime heat.

The retained heat kept the area warm enough to ward off the expected freeze. Tuesday night's temperature was expected to drop to a mere 30 degrees, but the clouds did not allow the temperature to drop below 36 degrees overnight, Bogner said.

Tonight, however, Bogner said he expected the clouds to be out of the area and for the overnight temperature to plummet to 29 degrees. Additionally, he said winds would be calm, making a freeze tonight almost inescapable.

"Clear and calm conditions are two prime ingredients for a freeze," he said. "I don't think we can escape it tonight."

Local horticulture officials are recommending that gardeners either cover their plants or take them indoors to help protect them from a killing freeze.